Longhorns Baseball 2023 Schedule Breakdown: Can Texas Handle A Favorable May?
We are officially two weeks away from the start of college baseball season, and the Texas Longhorns will start their season in Arlington in the College Baseball Showdown.
The Longhorns enter the 2023 season with moderate expectations due to a roster that is young and looking to replace seven of nine starters from last season. They do have the talent but it could be rough sledding at first this season.
Right out of the gate they face three Top 10 teams in February, which will test this Texas team. However, from there March and April on paper offer a much easier schedule.
That just leaves us with May, which again on paper appears to be a much easier schedule for Texas to manage and set themselves up for a potential NCAA Tournament berth.
May 5-7 - @ Kansas Jayhawks
2022 record - 20-35 (4-20)
2022 RPI - 157
2022 Team Avg. - .270
2022 Team ERA - 7.96
2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament
Player to watch - INF Michael Brooks
There is no way to sugarcoat it, the Jayhawks were a bad baseball team last season. Now, as they look to rebuild and get back to contending in conference play, they welcome a host of transfers to do so. One transfer to keep an eye on is Michael Brooks from UCF, who slashed .256/.380/.432 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs, and will likely man the hot corner for Kansas.
May 9 - UT Arlington Mavericks
2022 record - 15-39
2022 RPI - 252
2022 Team Avg. - .248
2022 Team ERA - 6.37
2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament
Player to watch - OF Zach Henry
There was not a lot to write home about in terms of offense for the Mavericks last season, but outfielder Zach Henry was a lone brightspot. Henry led the Mavericks in most offensive categories with a .303/.451/.455 slash line while launching four home runs, all of which were a team-high.
May 12-14 - San Jose State Spartans
2022 record - 30-29
2022 RPI - 168
2022 Team Avg. - .285
2022 Team ERA - 6.92
2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament
Player to watch - OF Robert Hamchuck
The Spartans were not lacking for talent last season, especially in their lineup. They return a good portion of that talent in 2023, with leading hitter outfield Robert Hamchuck leading the way. He slashed .378/.437/.582 with 10 home runs and 39 runs driven in.
May 18-20 - West Virginia Mountaineers
2022 record - 33-22 (14-10 Big 12)
2022 RPI - 48
2022 Team Avg. - .269
2022 Team ERA - 5.14
2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament
Player to watch - P Ben Hampton
The Mountaineers came up just short of an NCAA Tournament bid last season, and will look to bounce back in 2023. A big step in the right direction will be getting back on track pitching, which Ben Hampton will help do. He finished last season as West Virginia's best pitcher, sporting an 8-5 record and 4.66 ERA in 83 innings of work.
What to expect in May
The Longhorns are on the road only once in May, and it is against what could be the worst team in the Big 12. After that, they finish their season with seven straight home games. At this point they could be playing to secure a national seed and an Austin Regional, which a favorable May schedule could help with.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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